Category: Sports

188 cyclists to participate in Abuja capital city championship

Cyclists

By Aderonke Ojo

Abuja, June 13 , 2024  (NAN) No fewer than 188 cyclists have registered to participate in the 3rd  edition  of  the Abuja Capital City Championship top prize ,slated for Saturday.

Bashiru Mohammed,Technical director, Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the event is being organised in conjunction with CHENUEL Mobility Solution Limited.

Mohammed said that the championship was earlier scheduled for June 1, but was postponed due to the inauguration of road projects within the FCT.

“This year’s championship will features Men Elite 140km,Women Elite 80km, Men Veteran 60km and Women veteran 30km,“he said.

The technical director said that the amateur category for schools in the FCT would feature the Male 20km and Female 15 km race.

He said that cyclists are expected to arrive on June 14, while the championship will start on June 15 and end on June 16.

“The starting and finishing point will be the Federal Secretariat, Ahmadu Bello way behind Eagle square, by 7 a.m.

“The Championships will be completed in both male and female categories in the elite class, veterans and amateurs’ class from secondary schools within the FCT.

“The State Cycling Association/Clubs will have six males and six females in the elite class while the veterans will have four male, four female and two officials.

“ At the end of the event, there will be medals and certificate presentation to all the winners as well as traveling subsidies for all the external participants coming from states,” he said.

Mohammed urged Abuja residents to come out to encourage the cyclists.

He said that the championship would   foster a good working relationship amongst the cyclists.

“The more the cyclists race the more they will improve on their standards, both at  domestic and international level.

“I am aware of the crucial role the media play in shaping mind-set and facilitating policy direction towards achieving set objectives, so we call on the media to help publicise our actvities ,” he said.

According to him, 109 cyclists will compete in the 140 km and 60km while 38 cyclists will compete in the 80 km and 30 km in the female elite class and veterans.

He said all necessary logistics have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free championship. ( NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

STJ/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

NPFL

By Olayinka Owolewa

Ilorin, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Kabiru Dogo, the head coach of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin, on Wednesday described their 2-0 win over Kano Pillars as a big relief to the team.

The former Nasarawa United coach told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the game in Ilorin that the team would give its utmost best in the remaining matches against Lobi Stars and Heartland FC.

NAN reports that the Match Day 36 fixture in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was played at the Main Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex.

The encounter brought the best out of the home side which dictated the pace from the first blast of the whistle.

A half volley by Ibrahim Dehinde in the 27th minute, as well as a well-taken penalty kick by defender Ejeh Isaiah in the 58th minute, won the maximum points for Kwara United.

The result helped to finally ease their relegation worries.

Emmanuel Ogbole, Wasiu Alalade and Dehinde Ibrahim’s build-up play proved too much for Pillars, neutralising the influence of veteran Rabiu Ali in the midfield.

Ali, who was later substituted, attracted huge ovation from fans for his tremendous influence on the game.

Also, Alao Mohammad and Issa Gata had combined to feed Alalade Wasiu in the 56th minute but he was fouled by goalkeeper Idris Ibrahim inside Kano Pillars’ box.

Isaiah Ejeh converted the resultant penalty kick for the second goal for the home team.

Speaking later, Ahmed Garba, the coach of Kano Pillars, said while he was disappointed by his team’s 0-2 loss, the focus of the team would shift to the President Federation Cup.

NAN reports that Kano Pillars are presently in the semi-finals of the competition, and will take on Abia Warriors at that stage.

Kwara United, with the win on Wednesday, are currently in the 11th position with 48 points on the league table.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OOH/DOE
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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

League

Ibadan, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Christian Pyagbara’s 13th minute goal on Wednesday ensured hosts Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) beat visiting Rangers International Football Club 1-0 in a 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that victory in the Match Day 36 fixture strenghtened the Ibadan-based 3SC’s pursuit of a place among the competition’s final top three.

Both sides came into the game looking very hungry for goals to gain advantage, but it was the hosts that soon took charge with flowing moves down the flanks.

They ran rings round the visitors, with team captain Taofeek Malomo and midfielder Ayobami Junior holding sway.

They sustained their attack to confine the league leaders to their half, and were soon rewarded when Ayobami Junior’s corner-kick from the left flank was headed in by Pyagbara.

Rangers fought back gamely, but the 3SC defence was stoic, with Gbolagade Adelowo and Ayodeji Bamidele holding their own and Victor Ehibe and Gali Falke taking full charge on the flanks.

Second half play saw Rangers International becoming more daring and were close on a number of occasions, only finishing poorly.

They threatened 3SC so much as to keep them on the back foot midway into the second half.

But good defending by the hosts and poor finishing by the visitors kept the scoreline the same way it was earlier.

NAN reports that the result took 3SC to 59 points from 36 games, but still kept them in fourth place, one point behind third-placed Enyimba International FC of Aba.

This was in  spite of Enyimba dropping two points after drawing 1-1 with visiting Bayelsa United of Yenagoa in Aba to stay with 60 points from 36 matches.

Rangers on their part are still maintaining top spot with 64 points from 36 matches, two points ahead of second-placed Remo Stars of Ikenne who are with 62 points from 36 games.

3SC will visit Bayelsa United in their next game, while Rangers host Bendel Insurance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Cup

Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Bishop Phillips Academy of Ibadan on Tuesday defeated Bashorun High School 4-0 to win the 2024 Oyo State Governor’s Cup male football competition at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the winners, like they did en route the final match, were ruthless and dominating and left their opponents wondering what hit them.

Adeniyi Charles scored with two headers in the first half to give them a comfortable 2-0 lead by half-time.

Babatunde Lasisi rounded off the scoring late in the game with a sumptuous free-kick.

Earlier in the day at the same venue, Olanipekun Memorial College of Kisi had defeated Government College Ibadan 2-0 to clinch the third place.

Ibrahim Fadare, the coach of Bashorun High School, later acknowledged that the better side won their match.

Fadare however said he was impressed by his players’ performance.

“We’re a school without a proper football field. We train on a makeshift narrow open space in the school.

“In this tournament, we played nine matches, and this is the only one we lost,” he said.

Speaking during the competition’s closing ceremony, the state’s Commissioner for Education and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, commended the event’s organisers, Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd.

He said a major domain had been developed for the students as they needed extra-curricular activities to achieve a balance.

“All work and no play is not good. Nigerians are very talented people with many hidden talents.

“The organisers have helped to bring out hidden talents in schools which need to be groomed,” Adelabu said.

Mutiu Adepoju, an ex-international, while addressing the gathering also said many talents abound in the state and the competition has helped to bring them to limelight.

Adepoju said such a competition had been lacking in the state to expose students’ potential.

“With what I’m seeing at this finals, there are so many promising potential,” he said.

The former Super Eagles midfielder however urged schools to prioritise coaches’ education so as to impact the right teachings.

“Coaches need to teach rightly. You can only teach the right thing when you know it.

“When the coaches’ education is given utmost attention, they can harness the full potential of the students.

“There are some things I have seen today that only the right teaching can help in correcting.

“We have many young players that can be infused into the leagues,” he said.

Adepoju then advised the players to pay adequate attention to their studies while playing football.

NAN reports that 220 schools participated in the three-week competition.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

SEY/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Victory

By Priscilla Osaje

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN)Nigeria Chovken team on Tuesday, defeated their  German  and Polish counterparts  5-0 and 4-1 in their first and second match at the on-going 2024 World Chovken Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director General of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), disclosed this in a statement  by Joesef Karim, Media Assistant to Vice President, African Region, International Chovken Federation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship which  started on June 10 will  end on June 16.

Kangiwa is the Chairman, African Region of the International Chovken Federation.

“10 countries are participating in the Championship, namely Azerbaijan, Turkey, Malta, Kuwait, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Poland, Germany and Nigeria.

“Team Nigeria is being represented by  Yusuf Bello, Shehu Kangiwa, Mukhtar Adhama and Abdulmalik Badamasi,” he said.

Kangiwa, who is also the President of Nigeria Polo Federation, added that other team Nigeria official is Abdulkarim Jibrin, Vice President, Nigeria Polo Federation.

Team Nigeria’s next matches will be against Morocco on Thursday and Kuwait on Friday.(NAN)(WWW.nannews.ng)(www.nnanews.ng)

PO/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Commission

By Olayinka Owolewa

Ilorin, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Bola Mogaji, the Executive Chairman of Kwara Sports Commission (KSC), on Tuesday advised those accusing him of various wrongdoings to familiarise themselves with the regulations governing stadium facility management.

Mogaji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the Commission was open to providing clarifications where necessary.

He had been accused of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds, related to the use of the main stadium by teams and football clubs.

“I believe the authors of that report have a narrow understanding of stadium facility management. While I could have taken legal action against them for attacking my reputation, I choose to advocate for peace and enlighten them,” Mogaji stated.

He was accused of collecting money directly from football teams and organisations for using the football pitch and bypassing the official government channel, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS).

There was also claims that funds from stadium usage by clubs such as Osun United, Ekiti United and 10 Nationwide League One (NLO) clubs were paid into Mogaji’s private account.

They said the money involved was not used for stadium maintenance.

However, in his defence against these allegations, Mogaji said the facts involved were misinterpreted.

Mogaji said a total of N3 million was remitted to the Football Association’s account, out of which N1 million was allocated to the KSC, the entity responsible for managing the stadium.

“We faced delays in receiving this money as it required constant follow-ups with the officers. The entire process demonstrates the importance of adhering to statutory procedures, especially those concerning revenue remittances,” he stated.

The KSC Executive Chairman further said established protocols needed to be followed, while transparency in financial transactions was required, and any review of processes should align with statutory requirements.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OOH/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

NPFL fines Enyimba, Rangers, awards three points to Enugu team

Fine

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Premier Football League ((NPFL) has sanctioned Enyimba FC of Aba and Rangers International of Enugu for breaching its framework and rules in their Matchday 35 encounter.

The League governing body awarded three points and three goals to Enugu Rangers and fined Enyimba FC the sum of N10 million for breaching the frameworks.

In the same vein, the hosts, Enugu Rangers have been slammed with a fine of N5 million for various offences, including non-provision of adequate security and encroachment to the pitch by fans and other unauthorised persons.

It also includes sales of tickets to spectators more than the stadium capacity leading to encroachment of the pitch.

The Oriental derby played on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, was abandoned by Enyimba after Rangers was awarded a penalty in the 107th minute of play.

The NPFL however gave both teams 48 hours to appeal the decision which may go to NFF Organising and Disciplinary Committee and later Appeal Committee.

With this decision, Rangers remain on top of the league table with 64 points from 35 matches while Enyimba FC and Remo Stars are in second and third positions with 59 points each. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh